| 他的名字似乎已說明了一切，我們一聽到這個名字，就知道背後的故事。故事講的是，一個人被基督揀選，與祂一起三年多，但最終卻被撒但利用，出賣基督，以致祂被釘死。我們對猶大本人所知不多，聽說他是加略人，但「加略」究竟是在哪裡，我們卻不能確定。一是認為在拿撒勒附近，一是認為在猶大的南部。但無論如何，他在眾多跟從基督的百姓中，像所有其他門徒一樣被揀選。 他之所以出賣基督，可能是源於失望。他也許期望基督立即作王。他是一個憎恨羅馬政權統治以色列的極端主義者嗎？經文已經暗示，猶大想借助基督的手來達成自己的目的；我們只知道，撒但在猶大那裡找到了一個自願的背叛者。 猶大必然知道基督吃過逾越節的晚餐後，將會到客西馬尼園，也許有人提議在那裡度宿一宵。然而猶大知道這一建議剛好配合祭司的計劃，他們不想在日間下手捉拿基督，因為祂身邊總是圍繞著一大群到耶路撒冷過逾越節的人。但如今在夜間、在預先安排的地方，正是捉拿基督的最佳時機。 前來捉拿基督的兵丁未必認得祂，因此猶大設定一個暗號。也許，門徒慣常用親嘴來彼此問安。馬太和馬可採用的那個詞，都解作「連連親嘴」的意思。 在客西馬利園這一幕後，猶大似乎再沒有出場，但他之後的舉動卻盡人皆知。他在多久之後，才醒悟自己到底做了甚麼？幾小時後？基督被釘十架之前，猶大便將出賣基督所得的價銀退還大祭司，並出去吊死了。一個認識基督的人，竟落得如斯下場。多麼深的教訓提醒我們，要時刻緊靠基督，小心防備撒但的攻擊。讓我們祈求只有聖靈能夠時時刻刻給予我們的保護。 |
| His name seems to say it all. The moment we hear it, we know the story behind it. It is the story of one man who, though chosen by Christ to be with Him for three years or more, was used by Satan to betray Christ to His death. In some ways we know very little about Judas. He was said to come from Kerioth，but we cannot be sure where it is. One placing is near Nazareth, another is well south in Judah. He was chosen, as all the apostles were, from among the great crowd of disciples. His motive for the betrayal of Christ could have come from a disappointment in his plans. Perhaps he wanted Christ to take over the kingdom right then. Was he an extremist who hated the Roman rule over Israel? It has been suggested that Judas wanted to achieve his ends through Christ's hand. We do not know except that, in Judas, Satan found a willing conspirator. Judas must have known of Christ's plan to go on to the Garden of Gethsemane after the Passover Feast. Perhaps it was suggested they should sleep there that night. However, Judas knew, his suggestion suited the priests' plans. They were afraid to touch Christ in the daytime while He was among the huge crowds in Jerusalem for the Passover. But now, in a secluded place and at night time, this was a perfect opportunity. The soldiers who came to arrest Christ may not have known Him, so Judas arranged a signal. We wonder if this was a common way of greeting among the twelve. The word used by Matthew and Mark means to kiss repeatedly. It seems Judas faded out of the picture after Gethsemane but his subsequent actions are well known. How long was it before he realised what he had really done? A few hours? Before Christ was actually crucified, Judas returned the betrayal money and then hanged himself. What an end to a man who had known Christ personally. What a lesson for us to always stay close to Christ and guard against the attacks of Satan. Let's pray today for the protection only the Holy Spirit can give to us moment by moment. |
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